The Making of High Quality Apple Butter!

Quote – "When are you going to be making any more of that good apple butter?" (or, "Do you have any more of that good apple butter for sale?") --- summary of inquiries about the annual October apple butter festival in Gipsy PA

I was, and still am, a United Methodist pastor holding ordained elder status in the Western PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. I retired after 37 years of active ministry in 1996. Over those years I was pastor of some churches which conducted fund raising events from time to time. In the latter years these usually consisted of dinners and/or bazaar type activities. These were simple to put together and did not require a long period of time, work and preparation.

Three years after retirement I received a phone call from a member of the Gipsy Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) located in Gipsy, Pennsylvania. The people were trying to find a pastor and my name had been passed on to them. I agreed to meet with them to discuss the possibility of working with them as their pastor on a part-time basis. The church is about 27 miles from where our home in the Belsano PA area is located.

In that meeting we reached an agreement with a rather simple “contract” – they can tell me to hit the road any time they want to, and I can walk out the door and never return any time I want to! Annual reporting is also quite simple -- one sheet of paper containing a few numbers given by my church treasurer and some other numbers which I put on it and in about 5 minutes it is on the way to our regional office!

So for nearly 9 years we have been in a ministry involving Gipsy Christian Church. We have been blessed during these years and have seen the church move forward a bit. Some information related to this is given at the church web site, address of which is given below.

One of the activities each fall in October is the making of apple butter the old fashioned way in copper kettles. It is the most ambitious project in which I have ever become involved. It amounts to about 2 weeks or more of preparation until we finally get to the day of our festival, which this year will be on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at our church hall (Gipsy Christian Church Hall) in the village of Gipsy.

We begin with plans outlined by the ladies’ Loyal Berean Class. We travel to Boyer Orchards in south central PA to purchase 42 bushels of a variety of apples, most of which are Macintosh and Cortland. Then these are washed and cut up. We cook them down in turkey cookers and run them through what is known as “squeezos” which extracts seeds and skin, leaving only sauce. Lots of time involved here, but the best is yet to be! At about 4:30 am the fires are started under the kettles which are filled with the sauce and the stirring begins. This is a process that goes on for about 11 or 12 hours with non-stop stirring -- there is always somebody at a kettle moving the paddle back and forth and occasionally in a circular pattern also. Four pennies are in the bottom of each kettle -- these are moved about over the bottom of the kettle by the paddle so that no sticking or scorching of the apple butter will take place. As excess water is boiled off and the sauce thickens, eventually sugar and cinnamon are added. After checking taste and consistency of the now formed apple butter the next stage is canning. The hot apple butter is poured into cans and lids tightened, which will seal upon cooling. It works a bit like an assembly line with each person having a job to do, starting with the filling of each container. Last year we had over 600 jars, consisting of quarts, pints and half-pints. So far this year we have made 7 kettles of apple butter and will be making a partial kettle for demonstration purposes on the day of our festival, October 11th.

It is not that this time consuming project is necessary because the people have to keep the church going with funds received from the festival. Most of the people practice tithing their incomes and the church tithes its income to mission outreach. And from time to time additional support for missions is given beyond the standard tithe taken from the monthly offerings received.

The main benefit is the privilege of working together and the fellowship which results in the congregation truly becoming “family” – the common faith in Jesus Christ which the people share makes this a wonderful experience each year and one to which they look forward with excitement – and perhaps, a little hesitation due to the knowledge of being quite exhausted when the sun finally sets on the day of the festival! But there is a unity of spirit in the venture as the people give liberally of time, abilities and resources. And when the time comes for the sharing of burdens, there is an exhibition of love and concern as the people pray intensely for one another. Likewise, there is much praise given as together we remember how gracious our God has been to all of us.

And then, as time rolls over the coming months, the subject of conversation will again turn to discussion of setting the date and making the plans for the next festival – AND telling people who ask, “Yes, we plan to have some of that good apple butter at our next festival!”

Details of this year’s festival and information related to the church are found at Gipsy Christian Church -- we invite you to stop by if you should be in the area – and be sure to get a jar of apple butter which cannot be duplicated by anything you get in a grocery store anywhere! Oh, yes -- you cannot leave without indulging in some of the delicious food that will be offered and that crowned with a home made apple dumpling or a piece of home made apple pie! Is your mouth watering yet?

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing; Life forevermore. --- Psalm 133:1-3

Why Be Upset with Me? What Did I Do?

“We have received phone calls…” --– part of beginning conversation about “complaints” received at headquarters of a United Methodist conference in the United States

It’s a question I have had for some time, and so far, not one person has given me an answer. There are a number of United Methodists, ranking from bishop and clergy to lay persons who occupy the pews of United Methodist Churches somewhere who have expressed intense anger and disagreement with some things they have seen either at my web site or posted on my blog.

The anger seems to be due to a couple of areas primarily to which I have devoted comments and graphics. Those happen to be on the issue of sexual morality and God’s established boundaries of the same and on the issue of United States’ sanction of destroying thousands of unborn children each week of the year.

It sort of came to a “head” when I received a phone call from a member of the bishop’s cabinet in the W. PA Annual Conference. I was told that some phone calls had come in to the conference about my web site and the request was this – (1) would I post a notice that there are graphic pictures that are not suitable for young children to view, and (2), would I post a statement that the views on abortion as presented on my web site do not reflect the official position of the United Methodist Church.

So I really had no problem with that and as anyone can see by looking at Circuit Rider's Range, I have complied with those requests. Just scroll down a bit and you will come to the area where I indicate my compliance to those requests. Use reverse feature on your web browser to come back here.

However, what I do have a problem about is this – why are the people who are so upset with me about posting pictures of aborted unborn children not as disturbed about the guys who do these heinous acts of murder – and that is what it is, is it not? And is it not true that abortion does stop a beating heart? What else can you call it? But I’m the bad guy who makes an issue of it, posts pictures, etc. The guys in the white coats who have ripped unborn children to shreds are the good guys and keep getting very rich in the process! Some of them may even be upstanding and active members of United Methodist churches somewhere!

And further, I have a big problem with the fact that those who are leaders in the denomination in which I am an ordained elder are constantly expressing concern about justice and do not hesitate to denounce what are regarded as "sinful" practices such as gambling, etc. But they are totally silent on the massive “shedding of innocent blood” in this country!

Today, September 1, 2008, some newly elected bishops will take over in certain conferences across the United States. The counter is already ticking in regard to unborn children whose lives will be deliberately terminated while still in the womb. To see how many victims there are under the “watch” of these new bishops you can check at Addendum of United Methodist Bishops

But that nagging question still remains – why get mad at me for raising the issue – why not be upset with the people who do the deeds and the people who “legalized” it – and the people who say it’s a good thing or whatever kind of propaganda is used to try to whitewash what is nothing less than a 21st Century version of Holocaust taking place in the "land of the free and the home of the brave!"

And now, a PS on this matter -- during the course of this ongoing saga I received an email from an ordained elder who was extremely indignant and expressed the same by asking, "Do you believe God approves of your posting those pictures?" (pictures of aborted children). It apparently never crossed his mind to ask the question, "Do you believe God approves of you tearing to pieces that unborn child for which He has plans?", of the guy in the white coat who does the tearing to pieces act and gets paid handsomely for doing so! See what I mean? Why do they get mad at me? And the white coated guy goes merrily on his way to the bank without a whimper of protest?

"For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt, then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever. Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, 'We are delivered to do all these abominations'?" --- Jeremiah 7:5-10

The United Methodist Caste System Is Yet Alive and Well!

As noted in comments a few years back we have in the republic of the United States a unique caste system that most refuse to recognize. If attention is drawn to it there are vehement protests of denial!

This caste system has existed within the clergy structure of the United Methodist Church for quite a long time.

I started out as a supply pastor in the former Methodist Church nearly half a century ago. Supply pastors were persons who felt called of God to pastoral ministry but in most cases had rather limited education. They did not hold the “status” of ordained seminary trained clergy. They were limited in the appointment process with the seminary trained people given preference to the higher salaried “prestige” appointments – sort of an unwritten “law” in how things were done – you know, we pray about the appointment procedure and if God is going to work in this thing, He better make sure that the dignified ordained elders are placed in the preferred appointments, while those who rank lower on the totem pole get the leftovers.

Over time if anything the “caste system” is more entrenched and complex that it has ever been in Methodist history with new categories being invented into which preachers are sorted out and positioned!

A couple of critical issues that further underscore the sheer stupidity of categorizing pastors involve voting rights and serving the Lord’s Supper.

Depending on what slot you fit into, you may not be able to vote on ministerial issues. General Conference 2008 has attempted to expand that a bit, but rest assured that it is a sure thing that there will always be some pastors who can stand in a pulpit of a United Methodist Church and preach a sermon but who will be restricted somehow when it comes to voting at annual conference sessions!

And then there is that matter of the Lord’s Supper – who can serve it and who cannot.

Again, depending on your ranking in the United Methodist clergy caste system, you may be “authorized” to serve the Lord’s Supper or you may be told by a member of the hierarchy or a member of that illustrious group known as the Board of Ordained Ministry that you cannot serve the Lord’s Supper.

Now here’s a stimulant for a few brain cells – how is it God calls a person to preach and teach His Word but because of a caste system set in place over time due to the trappings of human tradition, that person is not permitted to serve the Lord’s Supper to the persons with whom he or she shares God’s Word on a weekly basis?

Now then, how about this -- where do you find in the New Testament church such a caste system for clergy established? And where do you find that an ordained elder must “consecrate” the elements for those who are at a lower level on the United Methodist clergy totem pole?

Yes, I already know – objections will quickly be hurled in my direction preceded by the word, “But…”

Just remember, the way to Hell is paved with cobblestones – on top of each one is engraved the word, “But!”

Will anything of substance be done to dismantle the UMC’s infamous caste system which members of the hierarchy refuse to acknowledge?

Hardly – ordained elders will adamantly refuse to give up even one square inch of their coveted domain!

Clayton D. Harriger
Retired elder in full connection
W. PA Annual Conference
The United Methodist Church

PS: Those “comments” referred to at the beginning are found at The Caste System Nobody Dares to Mention! Use return feature on your browser to come back here.

PPS: Even as this was written notice has already been sent out to all pastors in the W. PA Annual Conference, no matter what their position on the totem pole might be, of a gathering later in August. The Order of Elders is to be organized. It is noted that it is not necessary to organize the Association of Local Pastors and Associate Members according to the Discipline. However, Bishop Bickerton desires that all three groups should be organized at the same time. See what we mean in saying that the “caste system” is alive and well when it comes to United Methodist clergy?

Caste: any exclusive social or occupational class or group; rigid class distinction based on birth, wealth, etc., operating as a social system or principle. --- as defined in Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing will be there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

--- James 3:13-17

I Am a Bible Literalist? No, Not Always!

It's a bit of a risk to go on public record that you actually believe the Bible! Through the years there has been a well organized response directed to those who say they do believe the Bible. It varies a bit in the way the reactions are worded -- for instance:

• the Bible believer may be accused of worshipping the Bible -- that it is an object which consitutes idolatry simply because he or she has expressed a positive acceptance of all that the Bible reveals!
  
  
• the Bible believer is considered quite "low-brow" if he or she claims to believe all that is contained in the record from the first chapter of the book of Genesis to the last chapter of the book of The Revelation. That is, one is lacking in intellectual accomplishment if one believes the Bible "as is!"
  
  
• the Bible believer is considered to be a "literalist" if a statement is made, "I believe the entire Bible." Somehow the critic of the Bible believer wants to convey the idea that such a person takes everything in the Bible "literally" without question, and this constitutes a lot of ignorance on the part of the Bible believer.
  

Over the years I have had to deal with this issue from time to time. I have gone on record numerous times that I believe the Bible to be divinely inspired (by God the Holy Spirit) and the absolute authority on all matters pertaining to the Christian faith and how that faith is to be expressed in a fallen world.

One incident early on involved my appearance before the Board of Ordained Ministry of the W. PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. I made reference to Adam and Eve in responding to a question. Immediately one of the board members asked me if Adam and Eve were real people. I responded, "Yes." He then said, "You mean they lived in an actual historical time period?" I said, "Yes." He then said, "Don't you have a problem with that?" I replied, "Not me!" I tried to put a tone to it that said, "If you have a problem with it, that's your problem, not mine!"

To be accused of being a Bible believer is usually the same as being accused of taking the Bible literally in all that is recorded within its pages. I don't take everything in the Bible literally. For instance,

• in Psalm 91 it mentions about abiding under the shadow of the Almighty and a bit later it says, "He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler." If I took this literally, then God at this point is a Canada goose or a great horned owl or maybe a Rhode Island Red chicken, but I must confess I don't view God that way in this portion of Scripture!
  
  
• in Zechariah 2:5 it is recorded, "For I," says the LORD, "will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst." Now I don't take this to mean that God is in reality a wall of flames leaping hundreds of feet in the air such as we saw on news reports of the fires burning thousands of acres in southern California during fall of 2007!
  
  
• in John 8:12 Jesus says He is the light of the world. I don't literally believe that means that Jesus is a flashlight powered by Energizer batteries!
  
  
• in John 10:9 Jesus said that He is the door. Really, folks, I don't picture Him as a piece of paneled wood swinging on a couple of hinges with a brass door knob attached about 3 1/2 feet off the floor! No, I really don't -- if I were a strict 100 per cent "literalist" as implied by critics because I say I believe the Bible, then that is indeed how I would picture Jesus!
  

HOWEVER, there are many portions of Scripture which I do take literally and for which I do not apologize.

Some of these have been denied by those who pride themselves on being "liberal" and at times disagreement has become quite heated over whether such events and/or persons are historical fact or myth, legend, etc.

I've already mentioned Adam and Eve. Other recorded information which has been denied or highly questioned involves the world wide flood judgment at the time of Noah, the opening of the Red Sea when the Israelites left Egypt, the opening of the Jordan River at flood stage, and the great fish swallowing Jonah in the Old Testament. In the New Testament areas of dispute involve the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, His sinless life, the many miracles which He performed, His atonement for the sins of every member of the human race, His bodily resurrection from the dead following the crucifixion, His command to confront the entire world with His claims and call as Savior and Lord, and His promised return to this earth to rule it from Jerusalem at some point in the future!

While reading and in some cases, having done research papers on "theologians" who denied or seriously questioned many of those things mentioned above, I personally have never had a problem with what has been recorded in the Bible. I struggle at times to try to understand and grasp things at points, but I have never doubted that God did the things which are attributed to Him. In the Jonah incident -- the God I have known and been in fellowship with for 50 years could have kept Jonah alive in the belly of that fish for a year or longer if He had wanted to!

My God can do anything He wants to and when He wants to with no obligation to explain in detail to me how He did it or why He did it. The main expectation He has from me is that I approach Him in the spirit of a child and BELIEVE! In fact Jesus made it a demand that we become as children in our faith and relationship to Him -- part of that invovles our willingness to accept as a small child the truth of what God has done in the past, is doing now, and plans to do in the future!

"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." --- Matthew 18:3

By the way, how great is the God in Whom you claim to believe? Can He do things such as bring world wide judgment, open up a great body of water and dry the ground on which that water rested for centuries, keep a man alive in the belly of a great fish which He has prepared, make it possible for a young virgin to have a baby without a human male being in any way involved, raise the dead to life, etc? And can He touch the heart of a sinner in such a way that the sinner is brought to totally forsake his sins, seek forgiveness, and live a transformed life in obedience to the Savior Who was crucified for those sins?

As mentioned earlier there is one apology I have never made in the past and never will in the future -- that I believe the Bible, God's holy Word! Much of it I do take literally, but there are some exceptions as previously noted -- remember, God is not a Rhode Island Red chicken, though He covers me with His feathers and I take refuge under His wings! (Psalm 91).

I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies. It is time for You to act, O LORD, for they have regarded Your law as void. Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold! Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way. Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. --- Psalm 119:125-130